A power cut at home turned into a memorable escape with my mum, a few days exploring Gibraltar’s views, wartime history, and mischievous macaques, with a family connection I only discovered years later.
When I lived in Spain, my mum often came to stay with me for a few months at a time. During one visit between Christmas 2005 and New Year 2006, an electrical fault left us without power. The electrician said he could rewire the whole house immediately, but it would take a couple of days. With no electricity and nowhere comfortable to stay, we decided on a spontaneous escape, a few days in Gibraltar.
A Last‑Minute Getaway.
I drove us down to Gibraltar and found a cheap hotel for a short stay. It wasn’t glamorous, but it did the job. We spent our time wandering around the small territory, which doesn’t take long to explore, and taking in the sights.
One of the highlights was the cable car ride to the top of the Rock. The views were spectacular, stretching across the Straits of Gibraltar toward Africa. At the top, we had a quick look at the wartime gun emplacements. At the time, I didn’t think much of them, just another historical site. Years later, while researching my family tree, I discovered that my grandfather, Llewelyn Morris, had been stationed there as a Gunner, for several years. If I’d known then, I would have paid far more attention. It’s a good excuse to return one day.
The Barbary Macaques.
No trip to Gibraltar is complete without encountering the famous Barbary macaques. They were everywhere, climbing over rocks, railings, and, to my amazement, people’s cars. I couldn’t believe how many drivers took their shiny vehicles straight through the monkey‑filled areas. The macaques wasted no time jumping on them, pulling at windscreen wipers, and trying to remove anything that wasn’t bolted down.
They were just as bold with people. Any woman carrying an open handbag risked a monkey’s hand rummaging inside. Anyone holding food had it snatched away instantly. The macaques weren’t shy about their personal habits either. They groomed each other openly and, in some cases, indulged in behaviour that led to awkward questions from nearby children and red‑faced parents.
Exploring the Southern Tip.
We also drove down to the southern end of Gibraltar, where the mosque and lighthouse stand. We didn’t go inside either building, but the area was impressive. The mosque had a car park so large it looked like it could hold every car on the entire Rock with space to spare.
Final Thoughts,
It wasn’t a long trip, and it wasn’t planned, but it was memorable. A few days away with my mum, exploring Gibraltar while my house was being rewired, turned an inconvenience into a small adventure. Looking back, I wish I’d known about my grandfather’s connection to the place, it would have added even more meaning to the visit. One day, I’ll go back and see it properly.
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